Decoding TV

Support this show and get ad-free/bonus episodes by becoming a paid member at DecodingTV.com!David Chen and Patrick Willems dive into the first three episodes of Andor, now streaming on Disney+.How and why does Andor feel different than any other Star Wars show out there? How will the rest of the show be structured? What arc for Cassian Andor is the show sketching out? Is Syril Karn an irredeemable villain or a sympathetic middle manager? Listen to find out!Links:For quality written content about Andor and many other shows, check out the Episodic Medium newsletter.Watch/subscribe to the YouTube version of this podcastTony Gilroy’s NYTimes interviewRolling Stone article about AndorFollow Patrick H. WillemsOn YouTubeOn TwitterOn PatreonFollow David ChenOn TwitterOn InstagramOn Tiktok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Support this podcast by becoming a paid member at DecodingTV.com!We are thrilled to welcome Patrick H. Willems to the Decoding TV podcast! Willems is a filmmaker, cultural commentator, and one of my favorite video essayists on the internet. I’ve enjoyed conversing with Patrick for years on YouTube and on podcasts but I’m so thrilled to be able to cover a TV show with him on Decoding TV.In this inaugural episode kicking off our Andor coverage, we discuss the troubled history of Rogue One, where the movie shows clear signs of behind-the-scenes turmoil, and what we still really like about the movie. Andor premieres Wednesday, September 21. Our plan is for our Andor coverage to release by Thursday nights. As always, paid members will get episodes earlier and get any bonus episodes we record during the show’s run. Thanks so much for your support!Links:Watch/subscribe to the YouTube version of this podcastTony Gilroy’s interview with Brian KoppelmanFollow Patrick H. WillemsOn YouTubeOn TwitterOn PatreonFollow David ChenOn TwitterOn InstagramOn Tiktok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Support this podcast by becoming a paid member of DecodingTV.com!David Chen and Don Marshall discuss the fourth episode of Prime Video’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power: ‘The Great Wave.’ This episode, Galadriel tries to convince the city of Númenor to join in her fight. But will they be fighting for the right purpose?Adar reveals himself, but what are his broader goals? What is calling out for Isildur? When exactly is all the Southlands stuff taking place? For answers and speculations that address these questions (and many more), listen to the episode!Links:For quality written recaps and reviews about The Rings of Power and many other shows, check out the Episodic Medium newsletter.Read about the making of the Rings of Power title sequenceSubscribe to this podcast on YouTubeFollow this podcast on TiktokFollow this podcast on TwitterFollow Don Marshall:On TiktokOn InstagramOn PatreonFollow David Chen:On TwitterOn TiktokOn Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Support this podcast by becoming a member of DecodingTV.com!In this episode of Decoding TV, David and Siddhant start by some of the D23 news that was announced last week, including the return of a Hulk-related character that none of us saw coming.Then, starting at 18:00, the two dive into third episode of She-Hulk: Attorney At Law, “Mean, Green, and Straight Poured Into These Jeans.” While this was a fun episode, it sure seems like something has gone awry with the timeline and pacing of this show!Next week: Our opening topic will be the Netflix version of Daredevil (played by Charlie Cox) and what the legacy of the character is as we head into the sixth episode of She-Hulk.Links:Read Matt Singer’s article about She-Hulk and the real worldSubscribe to this podcast on YouTubeFollow David on TwitterFollow Siddhant on Twitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Support this podcast and get ad-free episodes and bonus episode by becoming a paid member of DecodingTV.com.Last week, a number of high-profile actors who’ve previously appeared in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring trilogy made social posts while wearing T-shirts from Don Marshall’s online merch store. The shirts displayed the words “You Are All Welcome Here” in Elvish (translation by @WizardWayKris).In this bonus episode, I asked Don what it was like to experience this entire series of events. Read Don’s recap of the events here.After you’re done listening, consider following these wonderful online creators:@OnlyAnnaMaria@AnexWilson@KnewBettaDoBetta@BlackPNWLady@FreddiesRoommate@EbonyWarriorStudiosFollow Don Marshall:On TiktokOn TwitchOn InstagramOn PatreonFollow David:Subscribe to a Cast of KingsSubscribe to The FilmcastOn TwitterOn Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Support this podcast by becoming a member of DecodingTV.com!David Chen and Don Marshall discuss the third episode of Prime Video’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power: ‘Adar.’ This episode, we travel to the land of Númenor and events are set in motion that will likely inform the rest of the season and beyond.Who is this Adar the orcs keep talking about? Who might Halbrand be, really? What’s up with all the slow-motion horse riding? For answers and speculations that address these questions (and many more), listen to the episode!Links:Subscribe to this show on YouTubeFollow this show on TiktokFollow this show on TwitterFollow Don Marshall:On TiktokOn InstagramOn PatreonFollow David Chen:On TwitterOn TiktokOn Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Support this podcast by becoming a member of DecodingTV.com!In this episode of Decoding TV, David and Siddhant start by discussing Ang Lee’s 2003 film Hulk. People don’t really talk about this film that much anymore, and it was widely regarded as a disappointment at the time of its release, but does it deserve its reputation?Then, starting at 33:35, the two dive into third episode of She-Hulk: Attorney At Law, “Is This Not Real Magic?” which gives us what we all want: more Wong.Links:Subscribe to this podcast on YouTubeFollow David on TwitterFollow Siddhant on Twitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David Chen and Don Marshall discuss the first two episodes of Prime Video’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power: ‘Shadow of the Past’ and ‘Adrift.’Who exactly is Morgoth? Is Valinor basically like Elf Heaven? What’s the difference between a Harfoot and a Hobbit? What was the glowing blue stuff in that case that the dwarves open? Who is the Stranger? For answers and speculations about these questions (and much more), listen to the episode!Links:Watch our Rings of Power preview episodeSubscribe to this show on YouTubeFollow this show on TiktokFollow this show on TwitterFollow David Chen:On TwitterOn TiktokOn InstagramFollow Don Marshall:On TiktokOn InstagramOn Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Support this podcast by becoming a member of DecodingTV.com!In this episode of Decoding TV, David and Siddhant start by discussing The Sensational She-Hulk by John Byrne Vol. 1. What makes She-Hulk stand out as a character from the rest of The Avengers?Then, starting at 23:00, the two dive into third episode of She-Hulk: Attorney At Law, “The People vs. Emil Blonsky,” which reveals just how much Blonsky has changed since the events of The Incredible Hulk.Next week: Our main topic will be Ang Lee’s 2003 film Hulk. See you then!Links:Subscribe to this podcast on YouTubeFollow David on TwitterFollow Siddhant on Twitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I’m pleased to announce that Don Marshall will be joining me as my new co-host on the Decoding TV podcast to recap The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power! Don regularly shares his knowledge of Middle Earth with his 580K+ Tiktok followers and I’m so thrilled that he’ll be providing his expertise with us for this momentous show.In this episode, Don and I discuss how he came to love Lord of the Rings, why the show is a big deal for Amazon (and why it will probably be a big deal for pop culture), and what you as a viewer can do to get ready for the show. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power debuts this Thursday on Prime Video, with subsequent episodes being released on Fridays.Our Rings of Power recaps will be released on the Decoding TV feed on Saturdays. Decoding TV will continue to cover She-Hulk: Attorney At Law (and hopefully other shows in the future!). As usual, becoming a paid member of DecodingTV.com means you get access to ad-free episodes and bonus episodes of the podcast.Links:Subscribe to the FREE version of the Decoding TV podcastSubscribe to this show on YouTubeFollow this show on TiktokFollow Don Marshall:On TiktokOn InstagramOn Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.